(Corrects paragraph 14 of February 23 story to say activist investor's name is Ancora Holdings, not Ancora Capital) By Dawn Chmielewski Feb 23 (Reuters) - Paramount Skydance submitted a higher offer for Warner Bros Discovery, a source familiar with the matter told Reuters on Monday, ratcheting up efforts to derail the HBO Max owner's deal with Netflix. The bidding war for one of ‌Hollywood's most coveted assets, including the "Harry Potter" and "Game of Thrones" franchises, has raised the stakes for do ...

Core Viewpoint - Netflix has significant cash reserves and the potential to increase its bid for Warner Bros Discovery in response to a competing offer from Paramount Skydance [1] Group 1: Company Offers - Netflix has made a bid of $27.75 per share, totaling approximately $82.7 billion for Warner Bros' studio and streaming businesses [1] - Paramount Skydance has countered with a bid of $108.4 billion for the entire company, which includes Discovery Global and its assets like CNN and HGTV [1] Group 2: Competitive Landscape - The competition between Netflix and Paramount Skydance is intense, particularly over Warner Bros' valuable content library, which features franchises such as "Harry Potter," "Game of Thrones," and DC Comics [1] - Warner Bros is proceeding with a shareholder vote on Netflix's offer scheduled for March 20, while allowing Paramount a week to present a more attractive bid [1]

Core Viewpoint - Warner Bros Discovery has rejected Paramount Skydance's $30-per-share takeover offer but has allowed a seven-day period for a revised proposal, with Paramount suggesting a higher price of $31 per share [1][2]. Group 1: Takeover Offer Details - Paramount's current bid for Warner Bros is $108.4 billion, while Netflix has offered $82.7 billion specifically for its studio and streaming units [3]. - Paramount's financial advisor indicated that the offer could increase to $31 per share if negotiations are opened, with potential for further increases [3]. - Warner Bros has stated that any best-and-final proposal must exceed the current offers [3]. Group 2: Shareholder Vote and Merger Implications - Shareholders are scheduled to vote on the Netflix merger on March 20, 2026, after Warner Bros spins off its Discovery Global cable operations [4]. - Warner Bros has emphasized its commitment to the Netflix merger, stating that the proposal from Paramount is not likely to result in a superior transaction [2][5]. Group 3: Previous Engagements and Offers - Paramount has expressed frustration over the lack of meaningful engagement from Warner Bros regarding previous offers made over a 12-week period [6]. - The revised offer from Paramount included a personal guarantee of $40 billion in equity from Oracle founder Larry Ellison, which was also rejected [6]. - Paramount is considering adding directors to Warner Bros' board as part of its strategy to gain influence [7]. Group 4: Market Reactions and Statements - Netflix has claimed that its transaction provides superior value and certainty, while also acknowledging the distractions caused by Paramount's attempts [9]. - Paramount's latest strategy included offering additional cash to Warner Bros shareholders for each quarter the deal remains unclosed, along with agreeing to pay a $2.8 billion breakup fee to Netflix if the deal falls through [10].

Core Viewpoint - Warner Bros Discovery (WBD) has reopened negotiations with Paramount Skydance, allowing Paramount seven days to present its best and final offer to surpass an existing agreement with Netflix [1][2]. Group 1: Negotiation Dynamics - WBD has maintained its binding agreement with Netflix while rejecting multiple enhanced offers from Paramount, leading to a hostile $108.4 billion takeover attempt directly with shareholders [1]. - WBD has set a deadline of February 23 for Paramount to submit its best and final offer, indicating that the board has not yet determined if Paramount's proposal could lead to a superior transaction compared to the Netflix merger [2]. - A special waiver from Netflix was secured by WBD's board to initiate discussions with Paramount, emphasizing the company's commitment to the Netflix transaction while remaining open to potential offers from Paramount [3]. Group 2: Offer Details and Implications - Paramount has increased its offer for WBD to $30.01 per share and has proposed to cover a $2.8 billion fee owed to Netflix if it withdraws from the deal, along with a multibillion-dollar refinancing plan to reduce $1.5 billion in costs [6]. - A "ticking fee" of approximately $650 million in cash will be added each quarter if the deal is not finalized by the end of the year [7]. - Paramount has backed its offer with a $40 billion personal equity guarantee from Larry Ellison, and plans to nominate new board members at WBD to challenge the Netflix deal [8]. Group 3: Strategic Considerations - The Netflix deal, valued at $82.7 billion, would allow Netflix to acquire WBD's key assets, including Warner Bros and HBO, while the global networks operation will be spun off into a separate entity for WBD investors [5][6]. - Analysts suggest that setting a final offer date will expedite the merger process and provide Paramount an opportunity to make its strongest bid, although the current offers are already substantial [5].

Core Viewpoint - Warner Bros Discovery has rejected Paramount Skydance's $30-a-share hostile bid, favoring its existing agreement with Netflix for the sale of its businesses, including HBO Max and the "Harry Potter" franchise [1][3]. Group 1: Bid Details - Paramount has informally proposed a higher bid of $31 per share, which has prompted Warner Bros to consider the offer, although it still prefers the Netflix deal [2][3]. - Paramount has until February 23 to submit a new offer, which Netflix can match under the merger agreement terms [3]. Group 2: Company Responses - Warner Bros' board has expressed that Paramount's proposal is unlikely to result in a superior transaction compared to the Netflix merger, reaffirming their commitment to the Netflix deal [3][4]. - Paramount has acknowledged the seven-day offer period and plans to continue its tender offer while opposing the Netflix merger [4]. Group 3: Financial Implications - A successful acquisition would grant the buyer ownership of Warner Bros' extensive film and television library, which includes iconic titles like "Casablanca" and "Friends" [5]. - Paramount's current offer values the entire company at $108.4 billion, while Netflix's offer for its studio and streaming businesses is $27.75 per share, totaling $82.7 billion [6].

Core Viewpoint - Warner Bros has rejected Paramount's latest $30-a-share hostile takeover bid but has given Paramount a week to negotiate a better deal, indicating a potential shift in negotiations [1] Group 1: Warner Bros and Paramount Negotiations - Warner Bros Discovery has rejected Paramount Skydance's latest offer but is allowing a week for Paramount to submit a better proposal [1] - Paramount has informally proposed raising its offer to $31 a share, which could entice Warner Bros to negotiate [1] - Warner Bros remains committed to its merger agreement with Netflix, with a shareholder vote scheduled for March 20 [1] Group 2: Financial Implications - Paramount's current offer values the company at $108.4 billion, while Netflix's offer for Warner Bros' studio and streaming businesses is $82.7 billion [1] - Warner Bros expects a final proposal from Paramount to exceed the $31 per share offer [1] - Warner Bros estimates that its Discovery Global cable operations could fetch between $1.33 and $6.86 per share in a spin-off [1] Group 3: Market Reactions - Following the news, Paramount shares rose by 4.2% in premarket trading, while Warner Bros shares increased nearly 2% [1] - Ancora Holdings, an activist investor, has pressured Warner Bros to engage more meaningfully with Paramount regarding its offers [1] Group 4: Legal and Strategic Considerations - Warner Bros secured a special waiver from Netflix to engage in negotiations with Paramount, indicating a legal loophole allowing limited discussions [1] - Paramount's revised offer includes a personal guarantee on $40 billion in equity from Oracle founder Larry Ellison, which was previously rejected [1] - Paramount's offer still leaves unresolved issues regarding financing and potential fees, which Warner Bros has highlighted as concerns [1]

Group 1 - Warner Bros Discovery is considering reopening sale talks with Paramount Skydance after receiving an amended offer from Paramount [1] - The Warner Bros board is evaluating whether Paramount could provide a path to a superior deal [1] - Paramount enhanced its bid by offering shareholders additional cash for each quarter the deal fails to close and agreeing to cover the breakup fee owed to Netflix if Warner Bros walks away [1]

Core Viewpoint - Warner Bros. Discovery has attracted the attention of activist investor Sachem Head Capital Management, which has significantly increased its stake in the company amid ongoing acquisition interest from Paramount Skydance [1] Group 1: Investment Activity - Sachem Head Capital Management doubled its holding in Warner Bros. Discovery to nearly 8 million shares by the end of Q4, making it one of the top 10 investments in U.S. stocks for the hedge fund [1] - Warner Bros. Discovery has a market value of approximately $70 billion, indicating its significant position in the media and entertainment sector [1] Group 2: Acquisition Interest - Paramount Skydance has made a hostile bid for Warner Bros. Discovery, which was rejected last month, and is now increasing pressure to engage in discussions regarding a potentially more attractive offer than Netflix's [1] - Paramount has hinted at the possibility of attempting to unseat Warner Bros. Discovery's directors, suggesting that the head of Pentwater Capital Management could be a viable candidate for the board [1] Group 3: Other Investments by Sachem Head - In addition to Warner Bros. Discovery, Sachem Head has made new investments in telecommunications company EchoStar, acquiring 5.2 million shares, as well as in online used car retailer Carvana and entertainment company Live Nation Entertainment [1]

Core Viewpoint - Talks between Comcast-owned Sky and ITV regarding a $2.2 billion deal have slowed due to industry disruptions and complications in separating ITV's Media and Entertainment unit [1][1][1] Group 1: Deal Overview - ITV is in discussions to sell its Media and Entertainment unit to Sky for £1.6 billion ($2.18 billion) to create a top-three UK streaming service [1][1] - The deal aims to enhance competition against major players like Netflix, YouTube, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney+ [1][1] Group 2: Negotiation Challenges - Engagement from Comcast has decreased recently, with sources indicating that the talks have slowed down [1][1] - Complications in separating ITV's channels and streaming platform ITVX are causing delays in the valuation process [1][1] Group 3: Market Context - The potential acquisition is influenced by the ongoing battle for Warner Bros Discovery, which may reshape the media landscape [1][1] - The UK economic outlook and investor sentiment towards traditional broadcast assets are also impacting negotiations [1][1] Group 4: Future Prospects - Despite the slowdown, negotiations have not completely halted, and a deal is still anticipated [1][1] - ITV is expected to benefit from the upcoming Soccer World Cup in North America, which could boost its advertising revenue [1][1]

Core Viewpoint - Paramount Skydance has enhanced its bid for Warner Bros Discovery by offering additional cash for delays and agreeing to cover the breakup fee owed to Netflix if the deal fails to close this year [1][2]. Group 1: Analyst Opinions - Analysts believe that the latest adjustments to Paramount's offer do not significantly change the situation, as WBD shareholders are likely to be swayed only by a substantial increase in the current $30 per share offer [1]. - The updated offer from Paramount addresses key concerns of WBD shareholders regarding regulatory approval timelines and management's demand for coverage of the breakup fee with Netflix, although the per-share price remains unchanged [2]. - The revised offer increases pressure on WBD management to justify continuing with Netflix's lower bid, as Paramount's offer is perceived as more strategic [3]. Group 2: Market Sentiment - The sweetened deal is unlikely to convince WBD to favor Paramount over Netflix, as analysts suggest that Paramount's tactics have not included raising the bid price, which is seen as essential for swaying WBD and its investors [4]. - Paramount's best chance to gain WBD's favor may depend on external regulatory actions that could block Netflix's bid [4].